intravenous
gb/ˌɪntɹəvˈinəs/ us/ˌɪntɹəvˈinəs/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
technical
C1
property
1
given through a vein
Given into the body through a vein.
Usage pattern:
intravenous [drug/antibiotics/fluids/therapy/injection]
Common mistake:
Often shortened to “IV” in hospitals; “intravenous” is the full adjective.
Synonyms
IV (Common abbreviation in medical settings.)
|
parenteral (Broader medical term meaning not taken by mouth; not always into a vein.)
Antonyms
oral (Taken by mouth instead of through a vein.)
Collocations
intravenous antibiotics
|intravenous fluids
|intravenous medication
|intravenous therapy
|intravenous injection
|intravenous infusion
|intravenous dose
|intravenous catheter
|intravenous line
|intravenous access
Themes
health
|medicine
|hospital_care
Examples
- The patient was given intravenous antibiotics to treat the infection.
- Because she was dehydrated, the nurse started intravenous fluids.
- Some painkillers work faster when they are administered intravenously.
Learner examples
- He needs intravenous medicine.
- The doctor ordered intravenous fluids.
adjective
technical
C2
property
2
located within a vein
Inside a vein.
Usage pattern:
intravenous [catheter/pressure/clot]
Common mistake:
This sense describes location (inside a vein), not the method of giving medicine.
Synonyms
intravascular (Means inside blood vessels generally (veins and arteries), not just veins.)
Antonyms
extravascular (Outside a blood vessel.)
Collocations
intravenous catheter
|intravenous cannula
|intravenous pressure
|intravenous thrombus
|intravenous device
Themes
health
|medicine
Examples
- The intravenous catheter was checked regularly for signs of infection.
- The scan showed an intravenous clot near the insertion site.
Learner examples
- The catheter stays intravenous.
- The doctor checked the intravenous line.
Grammar
Dictionary form
intravenous
IPA
GB/ˌɪntɹəvˈinəs/
US/ˌɪntɹəvˈinəs/
Syllables & stress
in - tra - ven - ous (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ven)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: intravenous
Word family
Core family
intravenously
adverb
Related words
vein
noun B2
venous
adjective
Expressions
intravenous drip
1/ˌɪntɹəvˈinəs dɹˈɪp/
fixed phrase
technical
slow IV fluid delivery
A bag and tube that give fluid into a vein.
Examples
- They put him on an intravenous drip to prevent dehydration.
- She was still on an intravenous drip after the surgery.
intravenous drug use
1/ˌɪntɹəvˈinəs dɹˈʌɡ jˈus/
fixed phrase
technical
using drugs by injection into veins
Using drugs by injecting them into a vein.
Examples
- The doctor asked about any history of intravenous drug use.
- Intravenous drug use can increase the risk of serious infections.
intravenous fluids
1/ˌɪntɹəvˈinəs flˈuɪdz/
fixed phrase
technical
fluids given by IV
Liquids given into a vein to help the body.
Examples
- After the marathon, he needed intravenous fluids for severe dehydration.
- The child was admitted for monitoring and intravenous fluids.
intravenous infusion
1/ˌɪntɹəvˈinəs ɪnfjˈuʒən/
fixed phrase
technical
IV delivery over time
Medicine or fluid given into a vein slowly.
Examples
- She received an intravenous infusion of saline.
- The medication is administered by intravenous infusion over 30 minutes.
intravenous injection
1/ˌɪntɹəvˈinəs ɪnd͡ʒˈɛkʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
shot given into a vein
A shot given into a vein.
Examples
- The sedative was given as an intravenous injection.
- Some vaccines are not suitable for intravenous injection.
intravenous line
1/ˌɪntɹəvˈinəs lˈaɪn/
fixed phrase
technical
tube giving access to a vein
A tube in a vein for giving medicine or fluids.
Examples
- The nurse inserted an intravenous line in his left arm.
- The intravenous line was removed before she went home.